Arms, Armour & Militaria

Arms and armour stretches from ancient times to modern conflicts, with weapons ranging from swords and clubs to firearms, armour including helmets and shields, and militaria such as medals, uniforms, flags and ephemera.

Medals and militaria are often sold at auction as specialised categories, with arms and armour sales also held.


The premises of Pennsylvania auction house Morphy Auctions

Morphy unveils transatlantic tie-up

08 February 2024

In a move that will be watched closely by US and European auction houses, Pennsylvania-based Morphy Auctions has launched a new operation in Switzerland.

Jaywick Noonans Morris Pic

Medal given to 'Taffy' after audacious Operation Jaywick mission to sink Japanese ships in the Second World War takes £120,000

23 January 2024

A medal awarded secretly following Operation Jaywick, one of the most daring raids of the Second World War, has sold for a hammer price of £120,000 in a London auction.

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English Civil War siege relics race away to hammer for 25 times the low estimate

22 January 2024

This 19th century glazed wooden case containing musket balls, ceramic fragments and three complete clay pipes was eagerly contested at auction.

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Winston Churchill's false teeth and RAF Book of Heroes signed by Douglas Bader come to a Cotswolds saleroom

17 January 2024

Stubs of cigars smoked by Winston Churchill are common visitors to auctions. But it is pretty rare to find his gnashers on offer.

George III brass mortar

Having a blast: 18th century mortar fires up Essex auction

02 January 2024

Sending the old year out with a bang, a George III brass mortar by Jan Verbruggen took £49,000 (plus 25% buyer’s premium) at Sworders.

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Tiny but with 48 blades — a remarkable exhibition knife

01 January 2024

It was with dazzling exhibition pieces that Joseph Rodgers & Sons made its reputation as Sheffield’s foremost knifemaker.

Miniature penknife

Exceptional 19th century miniature penknife stars in our pick of five auction highlights

21 December 2023

ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a rare Joseph Rogers & Sons miniature penknife made for royal presentation that more than doubled estimate.

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Dangerous not just decorative dirk

04 December 2023

Decorative Highland dirks from the late 19th century, often mounted in silver and set with cairngorms, appear for sale with some frequency.

Napoleon hat

Ridley Scott's Napoleon hits cinemas as a Bonaparte bonanza takes hold of auction houses and dealers

28 November 2023

Napoleon director Ridley Scott’s film charting the rise and fall of the French emperor is in cinemas across the UK.

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Chinese cannon blasts away estimate

13 November 2023

A rare 17th century Chinese bronze naval cannon guided at £30,000-50,000 made £165,000 in a Somerset saleroom.

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Helmet made famous by the dashing but dastardly Banastre

13 November 2023

The Tarleton helmet was named after the dashing but ruthless Sir Banastre Tarleton (1754-1833), who commanded the British Legion during the American War of Independence.

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Mr Durs Egg describes his pistol power

13 November 2023

Stellar English, Indian and Turkish pieces are promised at Olympia Auctions on December 6 in west London.

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Farmer’s interest in militaria grew rapidly

13 November 2023

A childhood in Wiltshire partly spent picking up ammunition lying around as a result of the Allied preparations for D-Day helped to spark Alexander Jeremy Peckover Penrose’s (known as Jerry) interest in firearms.

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Griffin tribute from Ombersley Court

13 November 2023

On November 29 Christie’s will offer Ombersley Court: The Collection of Lord and Lady Sandys – a historic collection of an English aristocratic family spanning five centuries.

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Protection using the elements

13 November 2023

Pictured here are the plates from a 12th or 13th century klivanion (Byzantine armour).

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Russian shaska in Somerset

13 November 2023

This Russian 1881/1908 pattern dragoon officer’s shaska is estimated at £2600-3200 among a wide array of militaria on offer at Lawrences of Crewkerne on November 22.

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Arms & Armour: Lock and load, old style

13 November 2023

Key and pistol combination stands out in a comprehensive firearms collection offered during a dedicated sale staged on home turf

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Thanks for forming my Moroccan army

13 November 2023

An intriguing inscription on a sword presented to a British army officer by the Sultan of Morocco helped to achieve a hammer price nearly 10 times the top estimate.

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‘We can deal with stray shells - but not heartbreaking monotony’

06 November 2023

In November 1915, Captain Wilton John Rix of the 6th Bedfordshire Regiment wrote from France to the East Suffolk Gazette with an understated and moving plea for a relief from the war’s monotony.

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Rare Arctic discovery in Dorset auction

30 October 2023

Only 155 Arctic Medals 1875-76 were issued, with 59 of those being to HMS Discovery.

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